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Engebretson Choice for Covenant Vice President
CHICAGO, IL (November 22, 2000) - Donn N. Engebretson is the candidate for the position of vice president of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), it has been announced by Glenn R. Palmberg, president, and the Executive Board.
Engebretson's name will be presented to the 2001 Annual Meeting next June in Chicago. If approved, he will assume his new duties September 1, 2001.
Engebretson currently serves as executive director of the Department of the Ministry, having been elected to that position in 1998. The Board of the Ministry has begun a search process for a pastor to succeed Engebretson.
Describing Engebretson as a capable administrator, gifted preacher and communicator, Palmberg expressed appreciation for his willingness to consider a new call. "Donn is a wise and insightful servant leader who has done an excellent job in his current position," Palmberg said. "I have often appreciated his clear grasp of issues, his great skill in working with people and his ability to dream and articulate a vision for the future. Donn is a friend and colleague who is superbly qualified for the position of executive vice president, and I am excited that he has been willing to accept this nomination."
The position of vice president currently is being filled on a temporary basis by Stan Henderson. Should the proposed Constitution and Bylaws be adopted at the June 2001 Annual Meeting, Engebretson will be appointed to the new position of executive vice president. Should the proposed Constitution and Bylaws not be approved, Engebretson's name will appear on the ballot as the nominee for election as vice president.
Engebretson said this decision is the most difficult choice he has had to make as a pastor. "The prospect of leaving this position of service (Ministry) is a cause for me of considerable grief," he said in a letter today to pastoral and administrative colleagues. "I truly love the Covenant Ministerium and I have found great joy in serving you, the ordained, commissioned and licensed pastors of the ECC. Thank you so very much for all the incredible support and encouragement so many of you have given me."
In his new role, Engebretson will work closely with Palmberg in areas of leadership and stewardship development, as well as representing the president and the Covenant at all levels. "The prospect of continuing to work with President Glenn Palmberg and the rest of the administrators and staff of the Covenant church in pursuing the mission that God has placed in our hands is deeply challenging to my spirit," Engebretson continued. "I have found in the process of discernment a deep sense of God's call to this new place of ministry, and I eagerly anticipate this opportunity to serve."
Pursuing the mission of the church and building the unity of the body are two of Engebretson's passions he brings to the new position. "I love the Covenant," he said. "To have this opportunity to help advance the mission is as exciting as anything I can imagine."
Engebretson is a graduate of North Park University with a Masters of Divinity degree from North Park Theological Seminary. He also completed a year of study in theology at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Following an internship at Mission Covenant in Foster City, Michigan, he served a number of Covenant churches in pastoral roles, including First Covenant in Peoria, Illinois; Centennial Covenant in Littleton, Colorado; the Covenant Church of Easton, Connecticut; and Faith Covenant in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
Engebretson's and his wife, Sally, have two children, Kristen and Karl. Sally teaches English at Deerfield High School near Chicago. Engebretson's late father, Milton, served in the Covenant pastorate and later as secretary of the denomination and then president of the church. His mother lives at Covenant Village of Northbrook and remains an active supporter of the Covenant and its ministries.
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